How Much is Left in the Hat?

Abstract

In continuation of the discussion of world population and resources, begun in our April issue with articles by F. W. Notestein, D. A. Fitzgerald, and K. Sax, we present in this issue a series of articles dealing with some more specific aspects of this all-important problem. This symposium was prepared by Richard L. Meier, Assistant Professor in the Program of Education and Research in Planning at the University of Chicago. Dr. Meiers concern with the problem of balancing world population and world resources has brought him to the conclusion that while no insurmountable difficulties threaten this balance from the side of metal and other inorganic raw materials, the question of adequate food supply cannot be dismissed with an easy reference to science being able to achieve the seemingly impossible. He brings this warning forward in a vigorous form in the brief article which opens the symposium.